John Hickenlooper handlers disagree about letting him go on David Sirota AM 760 show?

While officially anointed (by GOP boss Dick Wadhams) luckiest-guy-in-the-world John Hickenlooper is running for governor, did you know he's still Denver's mayor? Well, he is -- and AM 760 host David Sirota thinks these two roles came into conflict earlier this week in regard to the city's One Book/One Denver program.

Sirota, corresponding via e-mail, shares an August 31 note sent to his producer, John Turk, by Pauline Herrera Serianni, communications director for the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. In the message, on view below, she asks if Hickenlooper could appear on Sirota's program between 7:20 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Friday, September 10 -- today -- to discuss the One Book/One Denver program, which this year is urging locals to read Kathryn Stockett's The Help.

David Sirota.

Herrera Serianni followed up this e-mail with another one on Tuesday, September 7, reiterating Hickenlooper's availability "at 7:45, 7:50 and 7:55 this Friday." Turk immediately replied that the 7:50 a.m. slot would work. But the following morning, Herrera Serianni responded that Hickenlooper was "booked for that time and all of the others at this point. I apologize."

Wha? Here's Sirota's theory about the quick switch.

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"My guess is that what probably happened is that a municipal employee is doing her job on the One Book program, and then Hick's political people intervened, knowing they don't want him to come on our show," he writes. "Remember, the last time he was on the show, he got reamed in the press for essentially saying that the recession is just a psychological issue à la Phil Gramm.

"What's so funny about this is the Cultural Affairs office NAGGING us to book him, then suddenly saying he has absolutely no time to be on our show. It's pretty hilarious." In this view, "I think it shows who seems to be calling the shots, and what a Rose Garden campaign really looks like."

Page down to see the e-mail exchange between Turk and Herrera Serianni:

I'm e-mailing to find out if you'd like to have the Mayor on your morning show sometime between 7:20 and 8 a.m. on Friday, 9/10. He would be on to discuss this year's One Book, One Denver program.

The Mayor will be unveiling the 2010 One Book, One Denver selection tomorrow at a press conference at 11 a.m. (see attached advisory). I've also attached an embargoed release to give you more info on the program.

Sorry, John. As it turns out, he's booked for that time and all of the others at this point. I apologize. Attached is the release with the info on the program. We would appreciate any promo you could give us. I could also go on in place of the Mayor, if you'd like that.

Michael Roberts has written for Westword since October 1990, serving stints as music editor and media columnist. He currently covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports and stories that defy categorization.